Damage near the gumline
A deep cavity or fracture may leave little accessible tooth for a filling or crown. The assessment considers whether exposing more tooth would make a sound restoration possible.
General Dentistry / Treatment guide
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening exposes more of an existing tooth by adjusting the surrounding gum and, when needed, bone. It may create room to restore a tooth damaged close to the gumline or address excess gum coverage.
Explore your options with our Atlas Dental team. Ask who would provide your treatment and whether a specialist referral is needed.
Let’s talk about your options See what care can involveA closer lookTreatment animation
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Exposing more natural tooth
An example at the front teeth shows how adjusting gum and supporting bone can expose more of the existing tooth.
- 01Existing tooth
- 02Gum position
- 03Supporting bone
This example addresses gum coverage. Crown lengthening may also create room to restore a tooth damaged near the gumline.
Understanding your care
Making room for a restoration
Start with the purpose of treatment, then explore what matters for your own care.
The supporting tissues
Gum and bone levels are considered together. Simply trimming the visible gum may not create the space needed for a healthy relationship with the future restoration.
Appearance and proportion
Exposing more tooth can change its visible length and the gumline around adjacent teeth. These effects should be discussed alongside the structural reason for treatment.
From questions to a plan
What care can involve.
The details and sequence depend on your assessment and individual treatment plan.
Check restorability
Examine the remaining tooth structure, roots, bite and supporting tissues. Compare the prospect of restoring the tooth with reasonable alternatives before recommending surgery.
Plan tissue changes
Map the amount and location of gum or bone adjustment. Discuss the effect on nearby teeth and coordinate with the planned filling or crown.
Expose more tooth
Under the agreed comfort plan, gum tissue is repositioned and bone may be reshaped. The tissue is then secured around the revised contour.
Heal, then restore
Review the healing tissues before confirming the final restoration. Timing depends on the location, tissue response and the requirements of the restorative plan.
Before you decide
A plan that makes
sense for you.
Crown lengthening is irreversible and may change the gumline, create sensitivity or expose root surfaces. Surgery also carries risks such as discomfort, bleeding and infection. Some teeth still cannot be predictably restored. The clinician will discuss other options and the effect on neighboring tissues before deciding whether the potential benefit justifies removing gum or bone.
Is this the same as getting a crown?
No. A crown is a restoration fitted over a tooth. Crown lengthening is a tissue procedure that may be used beforehand to make more natural tooth structure accessible.
Does it always involve bone?
Not always. The necessary change depends on the gum and bone relationship around the tooth. Your clinician explains whether soft-tissue adjustment alone or bone reshaping is being proposed.
Is it only a cosmetic treatment?
No. It can make a damaged tooth easier to restore, although it can also be considered for excess gum coverage. The purpose and treatment plan should be clear before proceeding.
A place to begin
Bring your questions.
We’ll start there.
Talk through your priorities, alternatives and who would provide your care. An assessment helps clarify the next step.
Let’s talk about your optionsOur team will contact you to confirm your visit.
About this guide & educational sources
The treatment images and animations in this guide illustrate examples of care. They are not Atlas Dental patient results, personal treatment recommendations or statements about an individual clinician’s scope. Your assessment and care plan determine which options are appropriate for you.